Murder house raided

SALEM

March 26, 2014

A home where a man was slain in December was raided Tuesday by the Columbiana County Drug Task Force.

The afternoon raid at the Walnut Street residence resulted in the confiscation of $800 worth of suspected cocaine and drug paraphernalia.

The raid at the home of Mark and Patty Lewis, 530 Walnut St., was the result of a six-month investigation conducted by the Columbiana County Drug Task Force, according to DTF Director Brian McLaughlin.

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The Columbiana County Drug Task Force conducted a search at the home of Mark and Patty Lewis, 530 Walnut St., Salem, Tuesday afternoon, seizing 8 grams of suspected cocaine, scales, packaging material and pipes commonly used to smoke cocaine, according to DTF Director Brian McLaughlin. Last December, a man was found shot to death in the kitchen of the home. (Salem News photo by Larry Shields)

Armed with a search warrant, DTF agents arrived at the home about 12:30 p.m. and were met at the door by Ms. Lewis, who let them in without incident. Three men and two women were present, along with a 2-year-old boy.

McLaughlin said the search uncovered 8 grams of suspected cocaine, scales, packaging material and pipes commonly used to smoke cocaine. Some bullets were also found, but no weapons.

Charges are pending completion of the investigation, McLaughlin said.

On Dec. 21, 40-year-old Marion Lewis was found shot to death in the kitchen of the home.

His half-brother, Quinton Lewis, 34, has been charged with murder and remains in the county jail on a $1 million bond. A trial has been set for Aug. 11.

Reportedly, the half-brothers are nephews of Mark Lewis Sr.

According to investigators, Quinton Lewis is believed to have shot Marion Lewis four times from behind in the kitchen of the home. The gun suspected as the murder weapon was later found, along with Quinton Lewis' cell phone, in a vehicle in the driveway behind the home.